Browsing by Autor "Vincenzo Torretta"

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Application of a life cycle assessment for assessing municipal solid waste management systems in Bolivia in an international cooperative framework
(SAGE Publishing, 2020) Navarro Ferronato; Marcelo Antonio Gorritty Portillo; Edith Gabriela Guisbert Lizarazu; Vincenzo Torretta
Using a life cycle assessment (LCA) to evaluate municipal solid waste management (MSWM) systems is strongly recommended and the approach has been used in high-income contexts. However, stakeholders in low to middle income countries are not aware of the potential of this approach, mainly due to a lack of financial resources and technical ability. The present work introduces a LCA of MSWM system scenarios into a developing city using an academic licence for the LCA software that is available for use exclusively by researchers. The MSWM system in place in 2018 in La Paz (Bolivia) was assessed according to seven scenarios. The novelty of the research is twofold: the use of LCA academic licensing in a low to middle income region where LCA is unknown as planning tool; and discussing the potential of the approach in conjunction with local and international stakeholders with a view to starting MSWM projects. The results of the analysis allow for the consideration of energy recovery and materials recycling as the main methods by which the environmental impact of MSW can be reduced, as has also been reported by other LCA studies conducted with full licensing of the relevant software. Moreover, the research is the basis for cooperative development projects that will adopt the LCA approach as the main assessment tool. The study discusses the importance of cooperation between universities and local governments for implementing new strategies for MSWM assessment and planning. The research is a contribution towards improving technical knowledge in developing countries for boosting sustainable development.
Application of healthcare waste indicators for assessing infectious waste management in Bolivia
(SAGE Publishing, 2019) Navarro Ferronato; Marco Ragazzi; Marisol Secundina Torrez Elias; Marcelo Antonio Gorritty Portillo; Edith Gabriela Guisbert Lizarazu; Vincenzo Torretta
In the developing world, healthcare waste management is a human health and environmental burden that should be solved for improving sustainability. Solutions should be introduced in the short term, concerning management, planning, financial assistance and expertise. The paper introduces an indicator set for assessing healthcare waste management in developing cities, implemented in La Paz (Bolivia) as a case study. The objective is to suggest an integrated management tool as a first assessment technique to identify the prevailing problems with a healthcare waste management system. Results suggest that, in La Paz, the application of such indicators is useful for evaluating which priorities should be addressed for improving the healthcare waste management system. The tool was applied for introducing a study necessary for the application of new management plans, especially concerning healthcare waste treatment. The method can be replicated in other contexts worldwide, with a focus on the developing world, for comparing cities, management solutions and improvements carried out along the years. The approach is of interest for boosting sustainability and human health, improving the awareness of the actors and policy-makers involved in waste management.
Are waste-based briquettes alternative fuels in developing countries? A critical review
(Elsevier BV, 2022) Navarro Ferronato; Iris Jabneel Calle Mendoza; Marcelo Antonio Gorritty Portillo; Fabio Conti; Vincenzo Torretta
Assessment of municipal solid waste collection in Bolivia: Perspectives for avoiding uncontrolled disposal and boosting waste recycling options
(Elsevier BV, 2020) Navarro Ferronato; Grecia Paola Portugal Alarcón; Edith Gabriela Guisbert Lizarazu; Vincenzo Torretta
Assessment of municipal solid waste selective collection scenarios with geographic information systems in Bolivia
(Elsevier BV, 2019) Navarro Ferronato; Gianluca Preziosi; Marcelo Antonio Gorritty Portillo; Edith Gabriela Guisbert Lizarazu; Vincenzo Torretta
Assessment of Used Baby Diapers Composting in Bolivia
(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 2020) Navarro Ferronato; Máximo Lucio Nova Pinedo; Vincenzo Torretta
Solid waste open dumping in developing countries is a global concern. To move towards sustainable development, mixed waste should be reduced, and recyclable waste recovered. The aim of the current research was to find appropriate solutions to disposable used baby-diapers recycling in Bolivia since it is a waste fraction widely produced and commonly disposed of in open dumps. Composting of the organic diaper hydrogel was assessed in five trials, adding components available locally: cow dung, activated bacteria, and Californian red earthworms (Eisenia fetida). It was observed that about 60 days were globally required for biomass decomposition with cow dung, activated bacteria, and earthworms, and more than 70 days for the treatment of the substrate mixed only with manure, while the diaper hydrogel did not degrade without cow dung. This research is the first that attempted to treat disposable used baby diapers with the vermicomposting process. In general, the outcomes of the research are promising: vermicomposting with cow manure can be a recycling option for disposable used baby diapers, introducing appropriate practices toward a circular economy in developing regions.
Biomass and cardboard waste-based briquettes for heating and cooking: Thermal efficiency and emissions analysis
(Elsevier BV, 2022) Navarro Ferronato; Iris Jabneel Calle Mendoza; Jazmín Gidari Ruiz Mayta; Marcelo Antonio Gorritty Portillo; Fabio Conti; Vincenzo Torretta
Circular Economy, International Cooperation, and Solid Waste Management: A Development Project in La Paz (Bolivia)
(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 2022) Navarro Ferronato; Rodolfo Pasinetti; Daysi Valencia Vargas; Iris Jabneel Calle Mendoza; Edith Gabriela Guisbert Lizarazu; Marcelo Antonio Gorritty Portillo; Fabio Conti; Vincenzo Torretta
This paper introduces the preliminary results of a development project focused on waste recycling and recovery in La Paz (Bolivia). The aim is to share best practices and to present real-world challenges when implementing appropriate waste management systems in developing countries. Environmental pollution, social inequality, lack of resources, and economic discrepancies are challenges still present in the 21st century, and a global call-for-action is needed to support sustainable development. The project “LaPazRecicla”, financed by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, provides perspectives that are potentially useful for policy-makers, waste management practitioners, and circular economy visionaries. The article aims to present the effective contribution of the practical actions to the local municipality, and to introduce the reason for why theoretical methods were employed to support the project. The outcomes provided two main indications: on one hand, cooperation among interdisciplinary actors and financial support can give the chance of improvement, suggesting international donors should continue in this direction; on the other, political instability, lack of local technical knowledge, and the absence of planning for a long-term period makes these actions unsuitable for tangible change. Global reflections are required in order to measure the potential benefits of small-scale projects, evaluating the time needed to move towards a sustainable future in low-income countries.
Comparison of environmental impacts related to municipal solid waste and construction and demolition waste management and recycling in a Latin American developing city
(Springer Science+Business Media, 2021) Navarro Ferronato; Luca Moresco; Edith Gabriela Guisbert Lizarazu; Marcelo Antonio Gorritty Portillo; Fabio Conti; Vincenzo Torretta
Construction and demolition waste recycling in developing cities: management and cost analysis
(Springer Science+Business Media, 2022) Navarro Ferronato; Rocio Clara Fuentes Sirpa; Edith Gabriela Guisbert Lizarazu; Fabio Conti; Vincenzo Torretta
Environmental assessment of construction and demolition waste recycling in Bolivia: Focus on transportation distances and selective collection rates
(SAGE Publishing, 2021) Navarro Ferronato; Edith Gabriela Guisbert Lizarazu; Marcelo Antonio Gorritty Portillo; Luca Moresco; Fabio Conti; Vincenzo Torretta
Construction and demolition waste (CDW) management in developing countries is a global concern. The analysis of scenarios and the implementation of life cycle assessment (LCA) support decision-makers in introducing integrated CDW management systems. This paper introduces the application of an LCA in La Paz (Bolivia), where CDW is mainly dumped in open areas. The aim of the research is to evaluate the benefits of inert CDW recycling in function of the selective collection rate, defined as the amount of waste (%wt.) sorted at the source in relation to the total waste amount produced, and the distances from the CDW generation to the material recycling facility. The outcomes of the research suggest that increasing the selective collection rates (5% to 99%) spread the importance of transportation distances planning since it affects the magnitude of the environmental impacts (1.05 tCO2-eq to 20.7 tCO2-eq per km traveled). Transportation limits have been found to be lower than about 40 km in order to make recycling beneficial for all environmental impacts and for all selective collection rate, with the eutrophication potential as the limiting indicator. The theoretical analysis suggests implementing LCA with primary data and involving statistics related to the transportation of virgin materials avoided thanks to recycling. The outcomes of the research support the implementation of CDW recycling in developing countries since it has been found that material recovery is always beneficial.
Environmental Life Cycle Assessment of biomass and cardboard waste-based briquettes production and consumption in Andean areas
(Elsevier BV, 2022) Navarro Ferronato; Alberto Pietro Damiano Baltrocchi; Francesco Romagnoli; Iris Jabneel Calle Mendoza; Marcelo Antonio Gorritty Portillo; Vincenzo Torretta
Formal and informal waste selective collection in developing megacities: Analysis of residents’ involvement in Bolivia
(SAGE Publishing, 2020) Navarro Ferronato; Marcelo Antonio Gorritty Portillo; Edith Gabriela Guisbert Lizarazu; Vincenzo Torretta
The implementation of waste selective collection (SC) schemes in low-income countries is a challenge although it is one important way for improving environmental sustainability. The inclusion of the population is necessary for gaining effective results, and social surveys are support methods for understanding citizens' involvement and behaviour. The aim of the research is to assess the support of the citizens concerning the formal and informal recycling in a low-middle income country. The study presents a questionnaire survey conducted in 2018 in La Paz, Bolivia, where 774 citizens were interviewed for evaluating their support to the formal and informal SC systems. Two questionnaires were submitted to two different users' categories: users of the formal recyclable waste gathering points; and citizens of the neighbourhoods. Evidence of the survey shows that about 8% of the population supports the formal SC while about 48% are used to selecting their waste at home. About 79.2% of them bring the waste to the informal recycling shops or provide it to waste pickers, throwing the waste into or nearby the mixed containers in order to facilitate their collection. This research demonstrates how social inclusion is important for planning recycling systems within a developing big city, starting from the SC. Results suggest that the informal sector can be an effective means for improving the recycling behaviour of the citizens. The study can be of interest to stakeholders involved in introducing recycling policies in developing cities where the SC rate is still low, and informal waste collection exists.
How to improve recycling rate in developing big cities: An integrated approach for assessing municipal solid waste collection and treatment scenarios
(Elsevier BV, 2019) Navarro Ferronato; Marco Ragazzi; Marcelo Antonio Gorritty Portillo; Edith Gabriela Guisbert Lizarazu; Paolo Viotti; Vincenzo Torretta
Introduction of the circular economy within developing regions: A comparative analysis of advantages and opportunities for waste valorization
(Elsevier BV, 2018) Navarro Ferronato; Elena Cristina Rada; Marcelo Antonio Gorritty Portillo; Lucian–Ionel Cioca; Marco Ragazzi; Vincenzo Torretta
Investigation on the solid waste recyclers’ perspective in La Paz, Bolivia
(Elsevier BV, 2022) Navarro Ferronato; Edith Gabriela Guisbert Lizarazu; Daysi Janneth Valencia Vargas; Rodolfo Pasinetti; Vincenzo Torretta
Perspectives in solid recovered fuel production in Bolivia: Analysis of characteristics and potential benefits
(Elsevier BV, 2022) Navarro Ferronato; Iris Jabneel Calle Mendoza; Nayda Grace Marconi Siñani; Marcelo Antonio Gorritty Portillo; Vincenzo Torretta
Selective collection of recyclable waste in Universities of low-middle income countries: Lessons learned in Bolivia
(Elsevier BV, 2020) Navarro Ferronato; Edith Gabriela Guisbert Lizarazu; Jorge Marcelo Velasco Tudela; Jimena Karen Blanco Callisaya; Gianluca Preziosi; Vincenzo Torretta
Sensitivity analysis and improvements of the recycling rate in municipal solid waste life cycle assessment: Focus on a Latin American developing context
(Elsevier BV, 2021) Navarro Ferronato; Luca Moresco; Edith Gabriela Guisbert Lizarazu; Marcelo Antonio Gorritty Portillo; Fabio Conti; Vincenzo Torretta
Social acceptance, emissions analysis and potential applications of paper-waste briquettes in Andean areas
(Elsevier BV, 2023) Iris Jabneel Calle Mendoza; Marcelo Antonio Gorritty Portillo; Jazmín Gidari Ruiz Mayta; Jose Luis Alanoca Limachi; Vincenzo Torretta; Navarro Ferronato